I had sent out a caricature of Nigerians whose deaths shook the Nation and had asked people to identify them
I got hundreds of responses and everybody was mentioned except her.
That is how quiet and unsung her sacrifice for the nation has been
During that scary time, a lot of Nigerians lost their lives at the hands of assassins
It was so bad that when Chief Obasanjo emerged he set up the Justice Oputa Panel to heal wounds
Iyalode Tejuoso was the mother of the highly regarded Oba Tejuoso one of the most influential traditional rulers in Ogun state and a very prominent Elder statesman
She was the third-ever Iyalode of Egbaland whose wealth and influence transcended Nigeria
She was famous for her Tejufoam brand which dominated the market and allowed her to branch into Real Estate making her one of the richest women in the land
She was very close to Chief MKO Abiola the winner of the June 12 election.
Abiola saw her as a mother and listened to her every word.
She was a woman of value and astute principle. Values she imbibed in her children especially her son who later became Oba Tejuoso
Oba Tejuoso is on record as one of the very few who stood face to face with Abacha and told him the truth on June 12 and its winner
One night, a group of people entered Iyalode’s apartment in the Tejuoso area of Lagos.
She pleaded for her life and offered them money.
They said to her that this was not about money and that the people who sent them had all the money in the world.
They ended up using machetes on her, cutting her and slaying her with such viciousness that her brains spilt on the floor.
Her murder was announced on TV and the nation went into dark mourning
Nobody knew why or who sent the assailants and didn’t even link it to the struggle
Some even thought that it may have been intrigues from the many battles in Egbaland where she was the Iyalode
It was during the Oputa Panel that the dreaded Sgt Roger was reported to have mentioned her name as part of those that were listed to be eliminated by the State.
Nigeria, in her passing,, lost a patriot. A brilliant businesswoman who contributed to the Nation and a huge pillar of democracy
Today, her family quietly rue her loss while continuing her good works of creating opportunities for the masses
My friend and brother Prince Tejuoso is a loving grandson and a Nigerian who remains an epitome of humility and grace
So, guys, that wasn’t Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti but Iyalode Bisoye Tejuoso the Iyalode of Egbaland
So nobody wins the 10k, come and beat me
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: March 1, 2025
